MARCUS RASHFORD has been lined up to start England’s World Cup qualifier with Malta.
The Manchester United starlet scored a hat-trick for Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 side against Norway last month.
And Southgate, who is now interim England coach, is ready to give the 18-year-old his first competitive start for the senior side on Saturday.
Southgate is also considering fielding Crystal Palace flier Andros Townsend at Wembley against the Group F minnows, with skipper Wayne Rooney likely to be handed a midfield role.
The new coach has already delivered TWO speeches before his first game as replacement for axed Sam Allardyce.
He staged the team meetings at St George’s Park and told the squad to carry on what they have been doing after the 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia — even though the game was a major struggle.
Southgate believes the squad did sufficiently well in Allardyce’s only match in charge and wants the same commitment against both Malta and Tuesday’s opponents Slovenia.
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